Description

Hemophilia is a hereditary bleeding disorder characterized by a deficiency in clottingfactors VIII or IX, leading to spontaneous or trauma-induced internal bleeding, especially into muscles and joints. Knee hemarthrosis is among the most commonanddebilitating complications in pediatric hemophilia patients, contributing to chronicjoint pain, restricted mobility, and long-term deformities. Conventional management includes clotting factor replacement and physiotherapeutic interventions such as theRICE protocol. However, complementary, non-invasive strategies are increasinglybeing explored to enhance joint health and reduce recurrent bleeding episodes. Photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), has shown promising effects on reducing inflammation, promoting tissue repair, andmanaging musculoskeletal pain, but its role in managing hemarthrosis in hemophiliaremains underexplored. This quasi-experimental study aims to evaluate the effects of photobiomodulationonknee hemarthrosis in male hemophilia patients aged 9 to 14 years. The study will beconducted at Sundas Foundation, Sialkot, following ethical approval fromBASAR. Atotal sample size of 24 will be selected using non-probability convenient sampling.Patients will be receiving LLLT in addition to standard care for 10 minutes for 3 days a week after an acute internal bleed or swelling. The primary outcomes assessedwill include pain intensity (using the Visual Analogue Scale), swelling (using a measuringtape), and range of motion (measured with a goniometer). Data will be collectedpre- and post-intervention to observe the effectiveness of PBM in improving joint functionand reducing hemarthrosis severity. The data will be collected using SPSS version26.